Ghana

Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Promotion in Kwahu East

Kwahu East District Health Administration, Kwahu East District Assembly, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana(PPAG)

Supporting Agencies

Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA Partnership Program)

Project Period

3 years ( Jan 2017 – Jan 2020 )

Description of SRHR Needs

Among the many challenges faced by community people in Ghana, limited access to basic health services has become a barrier in improving maternal, newborn and child health from the viewpoint of continuum of care. In the target area of this project, specifically Kwahu East District, Eastern Region, access to health care facilities is limited as the following figures:

percentage of women who receive antenatal care (ANC) 4 times until delivery is 65.6% in 2016 (national target 85%)

In this context, risks regarding a pregnant women’s health is high, due to circumstances such as lack of response to pregnancy related complications, or limited number of trained health personnel, resulting in low figure of skilled birth attendance. The need for better access to quality maternal, newborn and child health services is high, and measures to improve the community health care situation, such as providing educational support to increase understanding of community people on the importance of utilizing maternal health services, increasing access to health services by more outreach services, and strengthening a partnership between health facilities and communities, are crucial.

JOICFP’s Intervention

Project purpose

To improve access to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) services for women, newborn and children in the project area

Target Area and Population

Pregnant and nursing women and children under 2 years of age in Kwahu East District, Eastern Region (Total population of the District: 85,575 (2016)

Uniqueness in the Approach

Introduction of Maternal Child Health promoter system that originated in Japan

Activities

Activities for promoting MNCH are implemented

Training of health administration personnel on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) promoter system in Japan

Training of Trainers for promoting MNCH

Selection of the personnel who are in charge of promoting MNCH (hereinafter referred to as “MNCH promoters”) from existing volunteer members such as Community Health Volunteer (CHV)

Development of MNCH promoters kits

Training of MNCH promoters in their roles, effective communication and MNCH